Occupational Therapy is a health care profession devoted to providing skilled treatment
that helps individuals achieve independence in all aspects of their lives. Occupational
therapists work with persons with acute and chronic physical, psychosocial, mental
and developmental disabilities. An occupational therapist may aid in the growth and
development of premature babies; create a learning environment for physically and
mentally challenged children; adapt home environments for persons with stroke, cerebral
palsy, spinal cord injury and other disabilities; or create activities that are designed
to restore mental health for persons with emotional, mental, or substance abuse problems.
Occupational therapy focuses on "skills for the job of living" which includes all
of the necessary skills for individuals to "live life to its fullest" and lead independent
and satisfying lives.

The Master of Science degree program in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) is an entry-level professional program designed to enable the student to develop
advanced critical reasoning skills and to prepare the graduate for professional practice
in a variety of settings. Graduates will also have the capability of assuming responsibilities
in the areas of administration, program development, consultation and research in
occupational therapy.

The program consists of 95 semester hours and is seven consecutive semesters in length.
This includes 24 weeks of full-time Level II Fieldwork as required by accreditation
standards. Level II Fieldwork is available in a variety of medical and community sites
representing a diverse range of learning opportunities for students. All Level II
Fieldwork must be completed within 12 months following completion of academic requirements.

The program is designed to accommodate applicants who have a baccalaureate degree
in another field.

Criteria for admission

A new class of MSOT students begins each year in the fall semester. All applicants
must apply to OTCAS (Occupational Therapy Central Application Service) and submit
a supplemental application to the OT program. Applications are available in July each
year for fall of the following year. Supplemental applications with appropriate processing
fees should be submitted directly to the Occupational Therapy Department. Selected
applicants, who meet all academic admission requirements, may be invited for an interview.
Students offered admission may choose to guarantee a seat by submitting a matriculation
fee (applied toward tuition) or be placed on the alternate list. All students accepted
to the program must complete a criminal background check. Admission is contingent
on the background check being clear of criminal charges.

The candidate is expected to satisfy the following minimum criteria for admission:• Completion of a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university by
June 1 of the year of admittance.• Completion of all prerequisite courses with a grade of “A” or “B” by application
deadline.• A minimum 3.0 (A=4.0) overall cumulative GPA; minimum 3.0 GPA in the prerequisite
courses; minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of coursework taken.• Minimum of 25 documented OT observation hours.• Minimum GRE score of 290 on combined verbal and quantitative sections, and 3.0 writing
score reported from same exam date.

Note: AP and CLEP credits are not accepted for any prerequisite courses.

Applications will be reviewed for academic qualifications on receipt of application,
processing fee, transcripts and GRE results. Selected applicants who meet all academic
admission requirements may be invited for personal interviews.

Admission is offered to the top students who apply after consideration of the admission
score.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to observe occupational therapy practice in a variety
of settings. A minimum of 25 documented OT observation hours are required. Documentation
forms for observation are included in the application packet.

Core Performance Standards, which are fundamental tasks that must be performed to
successfully complete the program, have been outlined and are available on the website
or upon request from the program.

Applicants who are interested in whether courses from other universities will meet
prerequisite requirements may contact the department by e-mail for an unofficial review
of their course descriptions.